La Follette to run for Wisconsin secretary of state

MADISON, Wis.—Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette says he'll run again for the office he's held almost exclusively for four decades.

It could be the last term for the secretary of state position. Republicans are drafting laws that would eliminate the office by 2019.

La Follette, a Madison Democrat, says he wants to restore the duties legislators from both parties have stripped from the office. The only real responsibility La Follette has left is sitting on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

Wisconsin would join a short list of states that have dropped the position. The office's supporters contend doing away with it would take power away from voters.

The secretary of state election has garnered more interested candidates than almost any other election.